by John Czarnecki

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR: With a weather forecast of freezing rain and 25-mph winds, the conditions would seem to favor the Giants' three-pronged running attack, which includes the return of a healthy Brandon Jacobs. In New York's first game against the Eagles, Jacobs ran for 126 yards and two TDs. In the game the Eagles won, during their late-season run to a playoff berth, Jacobs had 52 yards on 10 carries before injuring his left knee early in the third quarter.

There is no question that with the Giants minus WR Plaxico Burress, the offense's most feared player, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has decided to play single coverage on the outside receivers and fill every gap by bringing up safeties Brian Dawkins and Quintin Mikell. This scheme worked when Burress was suspended for the last game, plus the Eagles ranked fourth in the league defending the run, allowing 92.3 yards a game.

Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw combined for 217 rushing yards in the Giants' Week 10 win, but they had just 100 yards in the rematch four weeks later. The Eagles limited Adrian Peterson to 83 yards last Sunday, with 40 yards coming on one run. "Those guys are ready to play," Jacobs said. "The Eagles have been playing very, very good football lately. So we're going to have to match their intensity."

Eagles coach Andy Reid has done a good job in recent weeks of continuing to get consistent touches for RB Brian Westbrook. Reid must continue to use Westbrook and also Correll Buckhalter, who has looked extra quick in recent weeks. The Eagles need to run in order to take New York's pass rush off QB Donovan McNabb, who lacks deep threats but is very good against man coverage. Westbrook needs to get around 25 touches to move the chains and keep the defense rested. He had a career-high 33 carries in the last meeting, which helped wear down the Giants.

McNabb was sacked just 23 times during the regular season, but the Eagles could be overmatched by the Giants' pass rush on obvious passing downs, considering both offensive tackles, Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan (knee), are hurting.

Interestingly, Giants QB Eli Manning has struggled in his last two games in windy conditions at the Meadowlands, but overall he is 15-5 in games played in 10-mph or higher winds at home.

CZAR'S SCOOP: One Giant really wondering about his future is WR Amani Toomer, a 13-year veteran. "You think about it," Toomer said, "but there have been three or four years that I went through the same thought process in my head, so it is not something I am not used to. If you play in this league long enough, you are going to have to kind of get used to that feeling."

With Burress suspended after shooting himself in the leg Nov. 29, most thought that Toomer would be the key receiver. He hasn't been. He had only nine catches for 100 yards in their final four games, and his 48 catches and 580 yards are his lowest totals since 1998. Instead, Manning's favorite target in Plax's absence has been Domenik Hixon, who had 17 catches for 223 yards in the last four games.

The Giants want to give Jacobs a new contract and that probably means that Ward could hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent. Eagles CB Asante Samuel has six career postseason interceptions, returning an NFL-record four for touchdowns. Reid joins Marv Levy and George Seifert as the only coaches to reach seven divisional playoff games in nine seasons.

Most insiders believe that the Eagles will offer free-agent safety Brian Dawkins at least a two-year contract. Dawk will turn 36 next October. The other concern for Philadelphia is choosing what veteran offensive tackle to re-sign; it looks like Thomas over Runyan right now. Both players are unrestricted free agents.

GAME: San Diego at Pittsburgh

TIME: 4:45 ET

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Even though LaDainian Tomlinson won't be playing, the Chargers have a shot because the franchise is 2-0 at Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Oddly, the Chargers are 0-13 here in the regular season.

The Steelers need a good game from NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison. (Elsa / Getty Images)

The Steelers haven't allowed a run longer than 23 yards this season, but you can bet they will have their hands full with 5-foot-6 Darren Sproles, who had 328 yards of total offense last Saturday against the Colts. And don't forget that his backup, Michael Bennett, has big-play speed.

The Chargers must be able to run in order to keep Pittsburgh's pass rush (AFC-leading 51 sacks) and James Harrison, the league's defensive player of the year, off QB Philip Rivers. The Steelers' offense racked up 410 total yards in the first meeting, but never reached the end zone. Pittsburgh's points came on a safety and three Jeff Reed field goals. "Our red-zone efficiency has to improve," said QB Ben Roethlisberger, who has shown no ill effects in practice after suffering a concussion against the Browns in the last game of the regular season.

Look for the Steelers to use some no-huddle — it worked well against the Chargers last time. San Diego must be concerned, too, with a healthy Willie Parker. Parker had 115 yards in the last game of the regular season and says he feels as good as he has all year. He sprained a knee ligament in the third game of the season and later suffered a dislocated shoulder.

Big Ben must keep San Diego's defense honest. It has played well down the stretch under new coordinator Ron Rivera. The Chargers are applying more pressure under Rivera, and poor protection has led to a steady diet of big hits for Roethlisberger. The Steelers have no major injuries, while San Diego TE Antonio Gates will start again on a bad ankle. The Colts were able to shut down WR Vincent Jackson, but the Chargers like their matchups against CB Ike Taylor.

CZAR'S SCOOP: Steelers WR Hines Ward needs 12 yards receiving to pass Lynn Swann (907) and 159 to pass John Stallworth (1,054) to become the Steelers' leading career postseason receiver.

The Chiefs have some interest in talking to Kevin Colbert, Pittsburgh's top personnel man, for their GM opening. However, Colbert is under contract for the 2009 season. Doug Whaley, Pittsburgh's pro director, should have been checked out by the Chiefs.

There is no doubt that San Diego GM A.J. Smith is unhappy with Tomlinson leaking his torn groin muscle to ESPN last week.

Chargers punter Mike Scifres averaged a team-record 40.9 yards this season and is coming off a sensational night in the win over Indy. Scifres had six punts inside the 20 — which is an NFL record for the highest number in a playoff game.

The Steelers' running game ranked 23rd this season, their second-lowest ranking since they joined the AFC in 1970. "It all depends from week to week," explained center Justin Hartwig. "We would like to think that we can run the ball when we need to. Hopefully our coaches believe in us and we can do that. We definitely have our highs and our lows running the ball, but this is the time that we have to step up and get it done when we are called on."